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Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety
Hazards and Solutions

To a crane operator, few experiences may be as frightening as when a crane becomes unbalanced while a load is being lifted or when the crane collapses under the weight of an excessive load. The following references aid in recognizing and evaluating hazards in the workplace.
  • Working Outdoors in Warm Climates. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2005, September), 26 KB PDF*, 2 pages.
  • Key Switch Controlled Elevating and Rotating Aerial Lifts. OSHA Technical Information Bulletin (TIB), (2002, April 11). Also available as a 15 KB PDF, 3 pages. Informs users of aerial lifts that emergency rescue of employees on the lifts can be delayed.
  • Crane or Derrick Suspended Personnel Platforms. OSHA Publication 3100, (2002). Also available as a 205 KB PDF, 46 pages.
  • Construction Resource Manual: Table of Contents. OSHA. Includes links to various sections on crane and hoist safety.
  • Improper Support of an Elevator Car During Installation. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1995, June 22). OSHA investigated a fatality involving an elevator car sling and platform (these are also known as platforms, car frames and platforms, car slings, car frames, and safety planks) which was improperly supported during the erection and installation of a traction elevator.
  • Mobile Crane Inspection Guidelines for OSHA Compliance Officers. OSHA, (1994, June). Provides a generic, non-exhaustive overview of mobile crane inspection guidelines.
  • Crane Modifications. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1993, April 19). Discusses hazardous conditions created as a result of modifications for "auger piling" operations.
  • Crane Safety for the Site Superintendent. OSHA, (1992), Video, 8 minutes. Links to a video that discusses some of the hazards and risks involved in crane operations and identifies information managers should be familiar with if cranes are operating on their site.
  • DOE-STD-1090-2004; Hoisting and Rigging Standard (Formerly Hoisting and Rigging Manual). US Department of Energy (DOE), (2004, June), 157 KB PDF, 20 pages. Provides a table of contents to a reference document to be used by supervisors, line managers, safety personnel, equipment operators, and any other personnel responsible for safety of hoisting and rigging operations at DOE sites.
  • Hoist Practices: Better safe than sorry. Industrial Distribution, (2001, October 23). Raises awareness of hoist safety issues and recommends safe work practices.
  • For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
OSHA and the Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance
  • Fact Sheet No. 1: Proper Inspection and Maintenance of Overhead Cranes and Hoists. 94 KB DOC*, 1 page. Describes standards, reference manuals and safety tips for the application and operation of overhead material handling equipment.
  • Fact Sheet No. 2: Hoists, Cranes and Pullers - Safety & Warning Labels and Test Certification. 89 KB DOC*, 1 page. Identifies items that operators and inspectors need to know when purchasing, installing or using hoist, crane and puller equipment.
  • Safety Tips Sheet No. 1: Proper use of Hand Signals for cab-controlled cranes. 458 KB DOC*, 1 page. Includes nine industry standard hand signals that are used for communication between the operator in the crane’s cab and the floor person.
  • Safety Tips Sheet No. 2: Pre-operational equipment check of Cranes and Hoists. 82 KB DOC*, 1 page. Includes a pre-operational equipment checklist for cranes and hoists.
  • Safety Tips Sheet No. 3: Safe Lifting Practices. 87 KB DOC*, 1 page. Describes safe lifting practices for moving loads of material.
  • Safety Tips Sheet No. 4: Hoist Operation. 87 KB DOC*, 1 page. Describes what an operator should and should not do while operating a hoist.

*These files are provided for downloading only.
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Content Reviewed 05/15/2007
 
 


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